Jaden Powell’s favorite subject in school is science.

Ditto for Madison Daly, who had lived in New Mexico prior to her family moving to Manteca a few months ago.

Both are entering the fifth grade. Powell attends Nile Garden School while Daly begins her first full year at McParland School.

“I like science because I can go outside and experience nature,” said Powell at the Summer Science Camp at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manteca / Lathrop on Friday.

Added Daly: “I want to be a paleontologist someday so it’s all about science.”

The weeklong event was made possible by the support of the Manteca Police Department and the National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County.

“I was surprised at how many kids were excited about science,” said Todd Marion, who is the Special Program Coordinator for the local Boys and Girls Clubs.

On this day, about 15 students spent that last day of Summer Science Camp doing a project on the lifecycle. “We covered soil, to plants, to animals,” Marion said.

Each day had a different area of study.

Monday was about rocks making soil. Tuesday was a look at the germinating of seeds. Wednesday covered plant parts. Thursday was about “what plants do for us,” said Mario.

Friday was not only the last day of the Summer Science but youngsters also learned about the lifecycle of a butterfly.

For those attending every session, Marion indicated that will be rewarded with a free trip to the Children’s Museum in Stockton.

However, the entire group was treated with a sendoff party at the conclusion of the final session consisting of pizza and cupcakes.

Helping out on this day was Alyssa Guzman, who is the Mobile Lab Coordinator for Ag in Motion at the Ag Science Center.

The campers, who ranged in age from 9 to 14, received assistance from teen program staff members Kiana Watson and Treyana Davis, Sonoma State student Cydney Miller, and Education Director Jazmin Pereira.

Meanwhile, Powell and Daly had fond memories of the past few days.

“We enjoyed dissecting a lima bean,” Daly said.

Powell pointed out that just by opening up one lima bean can reveal the stem and leaf of the plant. “It looked like a skinny gold fish,” he said.

As fifth graders, Powell and Daly can now look forward to attending the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Outdoor Education program also known as Science Camp for the upcoming school year.